Should a Believer be Baptized?

 Yes, Christians should be baptized as an act of obedience to Jesus’ command in the Great Commission, a public declaration of their faith, and an outward symbol of their inward transformation and identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism follows belief, symbolizing a new life in Christ and a public commitment to follow Him, making it a vital step in Christian discipleship. 

 The scriptures describing Jesus’ baptism are found in the New Testament Gospels, primarily in Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:32-34 

• Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist to fulfill God’s righteousness, begin his public ministry, identify with sinners, and demonstrate obedience to God’s will. As a sinless being, Jesus did not need baptism for repentance, but his act symbolized his acceptance of the sins of humanity and his role as the promised Messiah, anointing him for his mission of salvation. By being baptized, Jesus established a model of obedience and humility for his followers. He led by example, showing that all believers should be baptized as an outward sign of their faith and commitment to following God

 Jesus commanded His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them” (Matthew 28:19-20). For believers, baptism is a direct response to this command. Jesus’s final instruction to His disciples to make disciples of all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

Baptism is a public demonstration of a believer’s commitment to Jesus Christ, serving as a testimony to family, friends, and the community. A public declaration of faith is a spoken or symbolic affirmation of religious belief made in front of others. It’s a public act that symbolizes a commitment to follow Jesus and allows others to witness and celebrate this decision.  

Baptism symbolizes the cleansing from sin and the new spiritual life received through faith in Christ. It represents the believer’s “death” to their old life, “burial” in the water, and “resurrection” to a new life with Christ. 

Through baptism, a believer identifies with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, signifying their spiritual union with Him.  

Like a wedding ring or vow, baptism serves as a reminder of the believer’s ongoing commitment to follow Jesus, live a holy life, and pursue God’s will.  

Baptism is typically performed for those who have already made a personal decision to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  

Baptism is an essential component of Christian discipleship, representing a crucial step in becoming a fully committed follower of Christ.  

Jesus Himself was baptized, setting the example for His followers. 

In the early church, baptism was how a person was recognized as a true believer and part of the community of believers.

 Bible Verses

• Acts 2:38: Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Peter’s response to the crowd, calling them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins and to receive the Holy Spirit.  

• Acts 8:36: As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”

The eunuch’s spontaneous request to be baptized after hearing the message of Christ.  

• Romans 6:3-4: Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Explains that being baptized into Christ means being baptized into His death and resurrection, signifying believers’ spiritual burial with Him and their new life in Him.  

• Colossians 2:12: having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead

This states that believers are buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Him through their faith in God’s power.  

• 1 Corinthians 12:13:  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink

Describes how all believers are baptized by one Spirit into one body (the church), uniting them in Christ.  

• John 3:5: Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

Jesus tells Nicodemus that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are “born of water and the Spirit,” which is interpreted to refer to both water baptism and the work of the Holy Spirit.  

• Acts 22:16: And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Paul tells Ananias to “be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord,” highlighting baptism as an outward sign of cleansing.  

• Ephesians 4:4–5: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

Emphasizes unity in the church by mentioning “one baptism” as a fundamental aspect of faith in Christ. 

Patrick Brown was born at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ on February 25^th, 1949. He became a Christian Believer when he stepped off the plane in Vietnam in 1971. Since that time, he has devoted his life to the Lord through ministering as a Sunday School teacher in various churches in Mississippi. He is a graduate of Exploding Evangelism (EE) and certified as a Gospel Evangelist Trainer. Patrick is a member on staff at Christian Grandfather Magazine in charge of Daily Devotionals. He and his wife, Sherrilyn, enjoy retirement in Ridgeland, MS. They have two Daughters, five Grandsons and two Great Grandsons.

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